During the pandemic, we have had no time to stop and have an existential moment about all the changes we have endured. Yet every day, we are living our lives in radically different ways than we used to. So many aspects of our lives have changed and adapting has been difficult. The benefits and challenges that come with each of these changes will play out over many years.
An Inventory of Changes
The pandemic has offered us lessons in resilience. It has caused us to make major life changes — some forced and others, chosen. From having to find new employment to working at home while raising kids, our work lives have shifted. Even the way we grocery shop is different, as well as the way we think about germs and safety and breathing one another’s air.
Since there has been no working out at the gym, people found alternative methods to stay fit. Gathering with loved ones has changed and, in some cases, ceased. For many, seeing loved ones on a computer screen has been a fill-in until face-to-face visits can resume. For the hundreds of thousands of people who have lost loved ones to the pandemic, the ultimate price was paid. It has been a long, tragic ordeal.
It can be difficult to identify positive outcomes from tragic global events, yet creating meaning is an important part of healing. The pandemic has left most of us desperate for normalcy. When our lives are altered drastically, we tend to reconsider what is most important. It shakes up our daily routines and moves us out of autopilot, which can offer benefits and tether us more closely to what’s important.
Reassessing Intent and Purpose
There are many ways people have shifted their goals as a result of COVID-19, such as pursuing a new career path. A flexible way to earn a degree right now is online. An online master’s degree in IT could train you in lucrative, high-demand positions like information technology management, data analytics, or cybersecurity. Teaching is another rewarding path that positively impacts others and offers a deep sense of purpose in life. There is a high demand for teachers of all ages.
The pandemic has forced us to reassess what is valuable. Many parents have made the shift to working at home, even though it has been a challenge to adapt. As a result, parents are observing important moments they would have missed while at the office. This has been a gift out of the many challenges during pandemic times. If this journey has taught us anything, it is the importance of creating joy and meaning in our lives and experiencing a more satisfying life with fewer regrets.
Recommitting to Joy
Exploring joy is a highly individualized pursuit. A key factor in identifying personal sources of joy is examining what an experience means to you and why. Traveling is a valuable pursuit for mental health and emotional wellness — it exposes us to different lifestyles and cultures. RV travel is a good alternative that limits exposure to large groups. With an increase in customers interested in pursuing travel trailers as a safe way to vacation, Hightened Path RV Rentals is ready to serve.
Diving into creative outlets is another great way to access more joy in daily life. Learning a new skill or hobby can be vastly rewarding, and you may even find that it could turn into a sideline. Self-expression is key to finding joy and can also help in stress reduction. Creative physical outlets such as dancing, hula hooping, creating music, and engaging in mindfulness exercises such as yoga can be stimulating and rejuvenating.
Reconnection and relaxation are important, particularly during these difficult times. Pursuing new paths to joy and meaning is healthy, whether it is through training for new career options, learning a new skill, or seeing new sites. The pandemic is shaping all of us in different ways, and some of those changes can be positive and uplifting.
If you’re looking to take to the road safely in the pandemic and beyond, contact Hightened Path RV Rentals. 719-425-8730
*Article written by Jennifer Scott*
